[OFF THE POST] VfB Stuttgart's German national team striker Mario Gomez was fined $12,000 for comments he made in a postgame interview about Karlsruhe defender Maik Franz, who hounded him during Stuttgart's 3-1 win last weekend.

"I usually respect every opponent," Gomez said shortly after the final whistle, "but this a****** ... is simply an unfair player. He [Franz] always plays unfairly, and that is known throughout the whole league, yet he is protected by the referees. I don't understand that."

Gomez, who scored the opening goal against Karlsruhe, later said, "I accept the punishment, because I made a mistake in my choice of words in an interview immediately after playing. For me the whole thing is now finished."

Gomez, 22, has scored four goals in eight appearances for Germany. He was Germany's Player of the Year in 2007.